Palawan voters warned vs bets funded by China

MANILA, Philippines — With China allegedly funding the campaigns of certain candidates in the midterm polls, a lawmaker yesterday urged voters in Palawan to be wary of candidates running for local posts.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V said voters should be vigilant as China’s recent claim over Palawan combined with mounting evidence that Beijing is funding some candidates posed a direct threat to the country.

“China started with the West Philippine Sea. Now they are saying that even Palawan is theirs already. Let’s try to think. If local candidates are funded by China, whose interest are they going to protect? That of our own country or of those who funded them?” Ortega asked.

Voting for pro-China candidates is akin to handing over national interests to foreign powers, he said.

“Our question now is, how will they (China) strengthen their influence over our country? I think this is not just limited to the presence of Beijing’s vessels in the WPS, but also through the electoral process. They’re not using guns, but money and propaganda and, of course, disinformation,” he said, referring to the West Philippine Sea.

Investigations into China’s operations reveal that Beijing is actively working to shape public opinion through disinformation campaigns.

Circulating on WeChat, Douyin and Weibo, the clips reference misleading maps and fabricated historical texts to suggest that Palawan was once part of Chinese territory.

Digital analysts have tracked coordinated efforts by Chinese-linked groups to manipulate social media discussions, discredit anti-China officials and amplify content that favors Beijing.